Alarm for the protection of graves



(No Model.)

2 Sheets$heet 1. W, H; FARNHAM 82: G. B. ASKEW.

Patented Feb. 1, 1887.

Ir. Was

i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. H. FARNHAM 85 G. B ASKEW.

(No Medal.)

ALARMFOR THE PROTECTION 0E GRAVES.

N6x 356 756. Patented 1 613.1, 188?.

that is located within the coffin, and forms part of the closed circuit.A. pivoted bar, J, carries an armature, K, that is held against themagnet I. Contact-points M M are con nected with the open circuit. Aspring, N, brings these points into contact and closes the open circuitwhen the armature is released by the magnet. Should the wires D D beconnected outside the coffin the current will pass through this shortcircuit, the armature will be moved from the magnet I, and the opencircuit will be closed, operating the indicating device. A magnet, O, isplaced in the closed circuit, near the indicator. An armature, P, issupported by a pivoted bar, Q, having a spring, R, that normally holdsthe armature away from the magnet.

The resistance in the circuit is such that the magnet 0 does notovercome the spring B. As soon, however, as a short circuit is made byconnecting the wires D D the circuit is free from the resistance of themagnet I, and the current is now strong enough to bring the armature Iagainst the magnet O. The open circuit is connected by wires S withcontactpoints T, which are brought together when the armature P is heldagainst the magnet 0.

With this device, in connection with the open and closed circuits, theindicating device will be operated when the wires D are connectedoutside the coffin, whether the wires F F are cut or not.

WVhere the apparatus is used with a single coffin, the indicator may beomitted and the alarm used alone.

In Fig. 5 we have shown a cofiin having a spring-supported bottom, uponwhich the bodyis supported. The wires D of the closed circuits areconnected to points that are in contact when the bottom is depressed bythe weight of the body thereon, and wires F F are connected to pointsthat are in contact when the bottom. is pressed up by the spring.

With this construction, if a body is removed from the coffin, the closedcircuit is opened and the open circuit is closed, thereby operating thealarm and indicator.

As an equivalent for the magnet O and the circuit-closing device inconnection therewith, we may use a galvanometer so arranged that whenthe needle swings out of its normal position it will close the opencircuit.

The device may be applied to any other receptacles-such as vaults,safes, &c.that it is desired to protect.

We claim as our invention- 1. The combination, with a receptacle andopen and closed circuits connected with conductors in said receptacle,of an indicating device connected with said circuits and constructed tobe operated when the closed circuit is opened or the open circuit isclosed, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of an indicating device, a closed electric circuit,and a cofiin having conductors forming part of said circuit connectedwith its walls and its cover, with contact plates between said walls andcover, whereby the circuit is broken and the indicating device operatedwhen said cover is removed, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with an indicating device, of a coffin and a braidedstrand of circuit-wires forming open and closed electric circuitsconnecting said cotfin with said indicator, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the indicator and the cofin, of the open andclosed circuit wires D D and F F, connecting said col-fin and indicator,the electro-magnet I in said coffin, connected with said wires D D, thearmature K, the pivoted bar J, spring N, and contactpoints M M,connected with said wires F F, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the indicating device, of the coffin, theelectro-magnet I, located therein, the open and closed circuit wires. FF and D D, the magnet 0, located in the closed circuit, the armature P,the pivoted bar Q, the spring R, contact-points T,'and wires S S,connecting said contactpoints with said wires F F, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 17th day ofMarch, 1886.

WILLARD H. FARNHAM. CHARLES E. ASKEW'.

In presence of A. 0. PAUL, R. H. SANFORD.

